What do you think?
Rate this book
Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium
In 1996, a groundbreaking television drama debuted on the Fox network. Created by Chris Carter, Millennium tells the story of Frank Black (Lance Henriksen), a legendary forensic profiler gifted with the ability to see into the minds of killers. Through his work as a consultant with the F.B.I. and the mysterious Millennium Group, the series offers a thoughtful exploration of the nature and manifestations of evil in the modern world. Back to Frank Black offers an unprecedented volume of material exploring this landmark series. With forewords from Lance Henriksen and Frank Spotnitz and an introduction by series creator Chris Carter, the collection features interviews with cast and crew as well as in-depth essays analyzing Millennium's characters, themes, and enduring legacy. Inspired by the growing movement to return this iconic hero to the screen, Back to Frank Black finds its focus in an incomparable figure of hope: Frank Black. We need him now more than ever.
- GenresNonfictionGothicTvHorror
510 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
27 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Adam Chamberlain
3 books9 followersAdam Chamberlain is the Associate Publisher for Fourth Horseman Press, and co-editor alongside Brian A. Dixon on a number of its publications, including "Columbia & Britannia" (2009), which was nominated for the 2010 Sidewise Award for Alternate History, and "Back to Frank Black" (2012), an unprecedented volume of original essays and interviews celebrating Chris Carter's masterful and influential series, Millennium. He lives in London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 3, 2013
I simply cannot say enough good things about this tribute to the exceptional television series Millennium (1996-1999) and its lasting importance. This volume includes extensive interviews with the show's creators and guiding hands, explaining its vision and execution, and with cast members, providing new insights on the ideas and inspirations that informed their performances. Truly, everyone related to the series (show creator Chris Carter, star Lance Henriksen, composer Mark Snow, etc.) is represented here. In between in-depth interviews, well-crafted scholarly essays assess the building blocks of Millennium's message and style, from contemporary history and the Gothic tradition to music and visual symbolism. The artwork and design of the volume speaks to the great love its contributors have for the show (and the great talents brought to bear in their celebration of it).
At one level, this book serves as a rallying cry for the Back to Frank Black campaign (backtofrankblack.com), which seeks to provide closure to the series through a new film, miniseries, or other medium. At another level, this collection offers overwhelming evidence why Millennium should be taken seriously in the long term as a pathbreaking text and work of art.
At one level, this book serves as a rallying cry for the Back to Frank Black campaign (backtofrankblack.com), which seeks to provide closure to the series through a new film, miniseries, or other medium. At another level, this collection offers overwhelming evidence why Millennium should be taken seriously in the long term as a pathbreaking text and work of art.
March 4, 2013
Book Review: Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium" is a compilation of essays on the topic of Millennium, a TV show in three seasons which follows the investigations of Criminal Profiler Frank Black in the final years leading up to the year 2000 and the new millennium. The show is also an examination of the nature of evil. It aired on Fox between 1996 and 1999, but ultimately was cancelled prior to the change of the millennium due to what was considered to be poor ratings at the time - ratings that would be considered to be top notch and desirable in our post-millennial TV landscape.
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium", published by Fourth Horseman Press, is available in both a hardcover and a paperback edition through a number of distribution outlets. Very eager to acquire and read my copy, I ordered my copy before Christmas and so I opted to get the paperback edition to save more money for Christmas gifts.
I ordered my copy through amazon.ca. My book was beautiful when i received it, but the cover is now dog-eared and tattered along the edges - the price of bringing it everywhere. I know now, I should have sprung for the hardcover edition, and recommend you do so, learning from my mistake.
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium" is the perfect companion to the your Millennium DVD set, if you have it (and i totally recommend acquiring the full series if you haven't yet) and is a must-have book for any fan of the works of Chris Carter or his TV show, Millennium.
The 510 page book features two Forewards (by Lance Henriksen and Frank Spotnitz) and an Introduction (by Chris Carter), 27 essays, an Appendix of all the episodes - broken down by season and in the order of air date - and is fully indexed.
Much of the material is based on interviews with the actors, writers, and producers of the show - which were conducted by James McLean and Troy L. Foreman, hosts of the Back To Frank Black Podcasts - as source material, and excellently summarized in an essay format by the editors of the book, Adam Chamberlain and Brian A. Dixon.
As an avid listener of the BTFB Podcasts this is a double-edged sword. Because I've listened to the podcasts over and over again to learn as mush as i can about the series, the actors, the writers (and the craft of writing), the producers and how they translated the written word into the final vision that we all saw on our screens, much of the book is a rehash of the same material. While interesting, I know the material intimately and found it difficult to read these essays word by word. On the other hand, the essays give me the interview material in a reference-like version so I can look up things conveniently, without having to listen to whole podcasts to seek it out. The best of these essays draw material from multiple interviews, such as those with Lance Henriksen who has been a frequent guest on the Podcast, and ties them all together neatly.
For me, though, the best and most interesting essays are those that are interspersed between these interview based ones. In some cases they draw on the interview source material and in some cases they don't.
Chapter XX, 'Second Sight: Profiling, Prophecy and Deductive Reasoning in Chris Carter's Millennium' by Brian A. Dixon is one such essay and takes a look at the detective genre from its beginnings in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe with "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" through to "Millennium" to recent portrayals of "Sherlock Holmes".
Chapter XVIII, 'Evil Has Many Faces: The Darkness In The World of Millennium' by Adam Chamberlain is another brilliant piece which examines the exploration of evil in "Millennium".
Chapter XVI, 'Seeing Evil: Lucy Butler as Legion Through the Eyes of Frank Black' by Alexander Zelenyj is another such brilliant article.
There are other contributions by James McLean, Joe Tangari, John Kenneth Muir, Gordon Roberts, Paul Clark, Joseph Maddrey that are equally as insightful and important to the understanding of the phenomena that was "Millennium".
And this compilation of essays would not be complete without the inclusion of the voice of Jordan Black, daughter of Frank and Catherine, as portrayed by actress Brittany Tiplady, and written by the same-self person, now a journalist, poet and writer. Brittany was recently interviewed by James and Troy on the Back To Frank Black Podcast, so if you haven't heard it, look for the Podcast and enjoy.
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium" is a must-have book for your library. Brilliant, insightful, relevant and timely, in its entirety it forms an argument as to why we need to see Frank Black and Millennium return for the public to see. Written, produced and aired in the late 1990's, Millennium was ahead of its time, and foreshadowed the world we live in, now, on the other side of the Millennium. It showed us the path we were on, though we knew it not. Through the experience and vision of Frank Black, our interpreter of the world of Millennium - a world that mirrors ours - we gain insight into the world around us and the nature of evil that exists in it. We need Frank Black more now than ever, to illustrate what's gone wrong, and where we're going. If a movie were to be made, as Lance Henriksen puts it, "it could be the most dangerous movie ever made."
Finally, in closing, it's also important to know that every sale of this must-have book also supports Lance Henriksen's favoured charity, "Children of the Night", an organization dedicated to getting children off the street and, where possible, reuniting them with their families. Nobody involved in the production of this book asked to be paid. Everyone contributed to it out of love for this show, out of the belief that we need Frank Black and Millennium back, and out of the spirit of generosity and giving to support "Children of the Night". I invite you to help out. And to enjoy.
- Stephen Lowe
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium" is a compilation of essays on the topic of Millennium, a TV show in three seasons which follows the investigations of Criminal Profiler Frank Black in the final years leading up to the year 2000 and the new millennium. The show is also an examination of the nature of evil. It aired on Fox between 1996 and 1999, but ultimately was cancelled prior to the change of the millennium due to what was considered to be poor ratings at the time - ratings that would be considered to be top notch and desirable in our post-millennial TV landscape.
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium", published by Fourth Horseman Press, is available in both a hardcover and a paperback edition through a number of distribution outlets. Very eager to acquire and read my copy, I ordered my copy before Christmas and so I opted to get the paperback edition to save more money for Christmas gifts.
I ordered my copy through amazon.ca. My book was beautiful when i received it, but the cover is now dog-eared and tattered along the edges - the price of bringing it everywhere. I know now, I should have sprung for the hardcover edition, and recommend you do so, learning from my mistake.
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium" is the perfect companion to the your Millennium DVD set, if you have it (and i totally recommend acquiring the full series if you haven't yet) and is a must-have book for any fan of the works of Chris Carter or his TV show, Millennium.
The 510 page book features two Forewards (by Lance Henriksen and Frank Spotnitz) and an Introduction (by Chris Carter), 27 essays, an Appendix of all the episodes - broken down by season and in the order of air date - and is fully indexed.
Much of the material is based on interviews with the actors, writers, and producers of the show - which were conducted by James McLean and Troy L. Foreman, hosts of the Back To Frank Black Podcasts - as source material, and excellently summarized in an essay format by the editors of the book, Adam Chamberlain and Brian A. Dixon.
As an avid listener of the BTFB Podcasts this is a double-edged sword. Because I've listened to the podcasts over and over again to learn as mush as i can about the series, the actors, the writers (and the craft of writing), the producers and how they translated the written word into the final vision that we all saw on our screens, much of the book is a rehash of the same material. While interesting, I know the material intimately and found it difficult to read these essays word by word. On the other hand, the essays give me the interview material in a reference-like version so I can look up things conveniently, without having to listen to whole podcasts to seek it out. The best of these essays draw material from multiple interviews, such as those with Lance Henriksen who has been a frequent guest on the Podcast, and ties them all together neatly.
For me, though, the best and most interesting essays are those that are interspersed between these interview based ones. In some cases they draw on the interview source material and in some cases they don't.
Chapter XX, 'Second Sight: Profiling, Prophecy and Deductive Reasoning in Chris Carter's Millennium' by Brian A. Dixon is one such essay and takes a look at the detective genre from its beginnings in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe with "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" through to "Millennium" to recent portrayals of "Sherlock Holmes".
Chapter XVIII, 'Evil Has Many Faces: The Darkness In The World of Millennium' by Adam Chamberlain is another brilliant piece which examines the exploration of evil in "Millennium".
Chapter XVI, 'Seeing Evil: Lucy Butler as Legion Through the Eyes of Frank Black' by Alexander Zelenyj is another such brilliant article.
There are other contributions by James McLean, Joe Tangari, John Kenneth Muir, Gordon Roberts, Paul Clark, Joseph Maddrey that are equally as insightful and important to the understanding of the phenomena that was "Millennium".
And this compilation of essays would not be complete without the inclusion of the voice of Jordan Black, daughter of Frank and Catherine, as portrayed by actress Brittany Tiplady, and written by the same-self person, now a journalist, poet and writer. Brittany was recently interviewed by James and Troy on the Back To Frank Black Podcast, so if you haven't heard it, look for the Podcast and enjoy.
"Back to Frank Black: A Return to Chris Carter's Millennium" is a must-have book for your library. Brilliant, insightful, relevant and timely, in its entirety it forms an argument as to why we need to see Frank Black and Millennium return for the public to see. Written, produced and aired in the late 1990's, Millennium was ahead of its time, and foreshadowed the world we live in, now, on the other side of the Millennium. It showed us the path we were on, though we knew it not. Through the experience and vision of Frank Black, our interpreter of the world of Millennium - a world that mirrors ours - we gain insight into the world around us and the nature of evil that exists in it. We need Frank Black more now than ever, to illustrate what's gone wrong, and where we're going. If a movie were to be made, as Lance Henriksen puts it, "it could be the most dangerous movie ever made."
Finally, in closing, it's also important to know that every sale of this must-have book also supports Lance Henriksen's favoured charity, "Children of the Night", an organization dedicated to getting children off the street and, where possible, reuniting them with their families. Nobody involved in the production of this book asked to be paid. Everyone contributed to it out of love for this show, out of the belief that we need Frank Black and Millennium back, and out of the spirit of generosity and giving to support "Children of the Night". I invite you to help out. And to enjoy.
- Stephen Lowe
July 24, 2016
I loved the TV show, and this is an interesting collection of articles about the show, it's cast and crew.
January 2, 2013
"Millennium" is one of the greatest television shows that many people never saw. The sheer weight of analysis and carefully compiled interviews within this tome highlight how beloved the series was (despite its horrible yet awesome darkness) and that the return of Frank Black either to TV or the big screen is in high demand from its loyal fans. The great Back to Frank Black campaign has cemented itself in television history thanks to this wonderful and insightful passion project.
October 25, 2012
Long overdue, BACK TO FRANK BLACK is a compendium of essays and analysis of the television series MILLENNIUM, along with interviews with cast and crew members about the show and its continuing influence. Very well written and miles above and beyond the usual fan wank tie-in (looking at you, lame books on LOST), it helps make the case that the show was very much more than just about 'serial killers', and that there is a place - a need for more adventures of Frank Black... which is, in fact, a goal of the people behind this book who run the site backtofrankblack.com and who have been involved in a campaign for a MILLENNIUM movie.
May 7, 2014
How does a fan campaign to bring back a TV show manage to write the definitive book on the show in question? I'm so impressed by the 'Back to Frank Black' campaign and how, in their quest to give further life to a show that seems more relevant now than ever, they've given us the book on MILLENNIUM that we never got while it was on the air.
Smartly, they've combined academic essays with interviews, so you get both a critical analysis and a making-of in the same, hefty volume. The campaign has achieved such unprecedented access to the cast and crew of the show that the book even features a) introductions by Lance Henriksen, Chris Carter, and Frank Spotnitz and b) lengthy interviews with virtually every significant MILLENNIUM luminary from both sides of the camera (sadly no Terry O'Quinn). Even the grown-up Brittany Tiplady writes an essay.
If sophistication and organisation were the deciding measures of a campaign to resurrect a TV show, we'd already have seen a MILLENNIUM movie or mini-series. Sadly when even a third X-FILES movie seems unlikely, a MILLENNIUM one is even more so. However, MILLENNIUM arguably speaks to our decade even more than THE X-FILES, and this book explains why. If only that was a criterion for a Fox greenlight...
But yes, more on the book. The interviews reveal swathes of previously unknown information about the making of the series and the creative processes that shaped it, while the essays enriched my understanding and appreciation for MILLENNIUM, covering a host of major themes and analysing them in intense detail. These aren't insular pieces either that compare one episode to another: the authors draw on history, theology, and criminology to decipher the series. The patterns of meaning that the authors find strewn through the series reveal that an even greater depth than I'd already observed, which is especially impressive given the markedly different approaches of each season.
If you're a MILLENNIUM fan, this should be a no-brainer. It also supports a campaign that, to my knowledge, has surely achieved more than any other without the show itself actually being resurrected.
But if you're not familiar with MILLENNIUM and are somehow reading this, be intrigued by the potential of a show that has somehow inspired a collection of essays and interviews worthy of a major publisher that was nonetheless the work of dedicated fans. Check out MILLENNIUM, and then circle back for a copy of 'Back to Frank Black'.
Smartly, they've combined academic essays with interviews, so you get both a critical analysis and a making-of in the same, hefty volume. The campaign has achieved such unprecedented access to the cast and crew of the show that the book even features a) introductions by Lance Henriksen, Chris Carter, and Frank Spotnitz and b) lengthy interviews with virtually every significant MILLENNIUM luminary from both sides of the camera (sadly no Terry O'Quinn). Even the grown-up Brittany Tiplady writes an essay.
If sophistication and organisation were the deciding measures of a campaign to resurrect a TV show, we'd already have seen a MILLENNIUM movie or mini-series. Sadly when even a third X-FILES movie seems unlikely, a MILLENNIUM one is even more so. However, MILLENNIUM arguably speaks to our decade even more than THE X-FILES, and this book explains why. If only that was a criterion for a Fox greenlight...
But yes, more on the book. The interviews reveal swathes of previously unknown information about the making of the series and the creative processes that shaped it, while the essays enriched my understanding and appreciation for MILLENNIUM, covering a host of major themes and analysing them in intense detail. These aren't insular pieces either that compare one episode to another: the authors draw on history, theology, and criminology to decipher the series. The patterns of meaning that the authors find strewn through the series reveal that an even greater depth than I'd already observed, which is especially impressive given the markedly different approaches of each season.
If you're a MILLENNIUM fan, this should be a no-brainer. It also supports a campaign that, to my knowledge, has surely achieved more than any other without the show itself actually being resurrected.
But if you're not familiar with MILLENNIUM and are somehow reading this, be intrigued by the potential of a show that has somehow inspired a collection of essays and interviews worthy of a major publisher that was nonetheless the work of dedicated fans. Check out MILLENNIUM, and then circle back for a copy of 'Back to Frank Black'.
September 22, 2015
An amzing essay collection about one of the greatest TV shows ever. Personally I liked it more than the X-files, and on my favorite list it shares a spot with Twin Peaks. The book help to recall the best moments of the show, all the characters we loved, and the dread mood that surrounded every episode. Not just for fans, but for all those interested in how good TV is done.
Of special interest are the essays 'This is who we are: secret society and family redefined', 'Evil has many faces: the darkness in the world of Millennium' and 'Bardo thodol: the third season and a new, unified theory of Millenium'. This were outstanding looks on the series and its relevance. All the interviews were enlightening and with a special warmth, that let you to love more all the creative crew, the wonderful actors, and the technical crew.
Overall, I wanted more essays exploring the contents of the series, the creative process behind a lot more of the episodes, but taking into account that this is fandom work, it is a truly remarkable result. My congratulations to the Back to Frank Black campaign for keeping this flame alive.
Of special interest are the essays 'This is who we are: secret society and family redefined', 'Evil has many faces: the darkness in the world of Millennium' and 'Bardo thodol: the third season and a new, unified theory of Millenium'. This were outstanding looks on the series and its relevance. All the interviews were enlightening and with a special warmth, that let you to love more all the creative crew, the wonderful actors, and the technical crew.
Overall, I wanted more essays exploring the contents of the series, the creative process behind a lot more of the episodes, but taking into account that this is fandom work, it is a truly remarkable result. My congratulations to the Back to Frank Black campaign for keeping this flame alive.
June 15, 2020
Millennium’s unique style of storytelling and production made quite an impression on me in the late '90s, and its central character, Frank Black (played with great gravitas by Lance Henriksen) was easily one of the most compelling individuals on the small screen at the time.
This book presents an impressive range of intelligent and insightful essays, and interviews with key creators and actors, that dig deep into the creative process, mythology, and impact of the series, exploring themes and behaviours, and revealing the many decisions made that determined how this compelling drama would appear throughout its three seasons.
As you would expect, there’s plenty of meaningful thought given to the various forms of evil and influence within the show, which is then supported by broad examinations of history, religion, investigation, psychology etc., building a greater comprehension of how Frank and other characters attempted to understand and confront the crimes and circumstances they faced. I enjoyed reading the collective analytical breakdowns of key episodes and ongoing themes, and the related discussions regarding symbolism and links to cults, mysticism and apocalyptic beliefs. The provided technical information about the production of the show was also of great interest, revealing the approach and expertise in writing, filming, editing and sound design that made the final product so visually arresting and mature in its execution.
The Back to Frank Black Campaign clearly understands the series’ fan base and potential for a possible return via the big screen, yet the reality of modern financial pressure on ‘old properties’ always made its reality to be somewhat illusionary. Regardless, this book is a great read for fans – many of the questions posed by Millennium still remain at the forefront of present-day behaviours, beliefs and events, so its overall relevance continues to perplex and intrigue just as it did prior to 2000.
This book presents an impressive range of intelligent and insightful essays, and interviews with key creators and actors, that dig deep into the creative process, mythology, and impact of the series, exploring themes and behaviours, and revealing the many decisions made that determined how this compelling drama would appear throughout its three seasons.
As you would expect, there’s plenty of meaningful thought given to the various forms of evil and influence within the show, which is then supported by broad examinations of history, religion, investigation, psychology etc., building a greater comprehension of how Frank and other characters attempted to understand and confront the crimes and circumstances they faced. I enjoyed reading the collective analytical breakdowns of key episodes and ongoing themes, and the related discussions regarding symbolism and links to cults, mysticism and apocalyptic beliefs. The provided technical information about the production of the show was also of great interest, revealing the approach and expertise in writing, filming, editing and sound design that made the final product so visually arresting and mature in its execution.
The Back to Frank Black Campaign clearly understands the series’ fan base and potential for a possible return via the big screen, yet the reality of modern financial pressure on ‘old properties’ always made its reality to be somewhat illusionary. Regardless, this book is a great read for fans – many of the questions posed by Millennium still remain at the forefront of present-day behaviours, beliefs and events, so its overall relevance continues to perplex and intrigue just as it did prior to 2000.
June 8, 2021
This book serves as a compendium for the television series, “Millennium,” which ran from 1996-1999. I am a huge fan of this show which, through three distinctly unique seasons, addressed many societal ills which continue to plague us currently. Lance Henriksen was perfectly cast as Frank Black( no, not the Pixies frontman), an elite criminal profiler for the FBI who becomes enmeshed in the world of the Millennium group, which was very loosely based upon the behavioral crimes unit of the FBI. His performance as the main character and lightning rod for the show can only be described as thoughtful, honest, purposeful and filled with gravitas, which Mr. Henriksen brings to all his roles.
The book also serves as a rallying cry to bring the show back in some form. This would be a fervent wish for myself and many others. It’s hard to describe how much insight this character brought to television watchers through his humble insights and truth-telling. If you ever get the chance please give this series a chance. I don’t believe that it is currently available on any services but the box set is probably for sale online somewhere.
The book also serves as a rallying cry to bring the show back in some form. This would be a fervent wish for myself and many others. It’s hard to describe how much insight this character brought to television watchers through his humble insights and truth-telling. If you ever get the chance please give this series a chance. I don’t believe that it is currently available on any services but the box set is probably for sale online somewhere.
July 12, 2022
What can I say but if you're a fan of the television series MILLENNIUM, this book is a must for you.
As much as I loved X-Files, I found MILLENIUM to be a better offering from Chris Carter and company. From the first season which was primarily a serial killer of the week series to the second and third seasons which dealt with topics of conspiracy, cult and secret societies that were back then, of minority interest, Millennium thread it all in a spectacular way. It's only in today's YouTube world that much of the data points and themes are common. But back in the late 90s, I found myself thrilled to see that topics I'd been reading on for years were playing out on my television set every Friday night.
I still revist this series on DVD and hold out hope for a movie that brings Frank Black back. There's a lot of wealth and fodder still to explore here. In fact, the fans haven't let it go. Fan fiction from stories to films have been generated to keep it going. Maybe the time is now for Chris Carter and the numerous talent behind the original series comes back at least one more time.
As much as I loved X-Files, I found MILLENIUM to be a better offering from Chris Carter and company. From the first season which was primarily a serial killer of the week series to the second and third seasons which dealt with topics of conspiracy, cult and secret societies that were back then, of minority interest, Millennium thread it all in a spectacular way. It's only in today's YouTube world that much of the data points and themes are common. But back in the late 90s, I found myself thrilled to see that topics I'd been reading on for years were playing out on my television set every Friday night.
I still revist this series on DVD and hold out hope for a movie that brings Frank Black back. There's a lot of wealth and fodder still to explore here. In fact, the fans haven't let it go. Fan fiction from stories to films have been generated to keep it going. Maybe the time is now for Chris Carter and the numerous talent behind the original series comes back at least one more time.
May 28, 2025
Un éxito relativo de Chris Carter que devino en serie de culto, abordada en un volumen que entrelaza material en la tradición de revistas como Starlog o SFX (entrevistas al equipo creativo, resumen de cada temporada y sus episodios) con densos análisis sobre la naturaleza del mal, cuestionamientos que muchas veces el espectador compartió con el protagonista Frank Black. A ratos fanzine y a ratos ensayo, se bate entre aguas tan dispersas como la serie televisiva que refiere.
October 9, 2025
I've been pining for this book since it's publication. It goes without saying that this is a niche book for fans of Millennium - well, that's me and I still give it 2 stars.
There are probably three decent pieces in this anthology; The discussions with Lance, Chris Carter, and maybe one other from so and so writer/actor/producer/musician you liked (take your pick).
The book itself is a print-on-demand thing which I'm not opposed to but for it's price it really should be better looking and feeling. The cover and the art within are very good, and standout to me as reasons to own this.
I got the feeling while reading 'Back to Frank Black' that it's somewhat of a mystery to the contributors why people still care about Millennium...they don't seem passionate about it. The second season of the show is a topic that comes up in nearly every piece; how bad it was, how different, how it changed everything. Well, yes, it's the season that turned Millennium into garbage - it's okay to say it. For me the second season is a comic book version of Millennium, dumbed down and easily defined. It's funny to read Morgan and Wong sort through their reasoning for why they did what they did to the show - it was just worse, you can admit it. The second season isn't all bad, but three or four good episodes don't keep a show on the air, or fans watching.
Chris Carter admitting that his production of Harsh Realm probably ended Millennium is one of the more interesting points in the book; in his eyes the show would have had a fourth season if not for Harsh Realm (p.44). But really, the second season is what killed it and the ratings show it.
Overall this is a book I like on my shelf, but not one that I would read from beginning to end. It's not a book that even a Millennium fan needs. I wish it was better, because it probably took great effort, energy, and love from it's editors to get this finished.
There are probably three decent pieces in this anthology; The discussions with Lance, Chris Carter, and maybe one other from so and so writer/actor/producer/musician you liked (take your pick).
The book itself is a print-on-demand thing which I'm not opposed to but for it's price it really should be better looking and feeling. The cover and the art within are very good, and standout to me as reasons to own this.
I got the feeling while reading 'Back to Frank Black' that it's somewhat of a mystery to the contributors why people still care about Millennium...they don't seem passionate about it. The second season of the show is a topic that comes up in nearly every piece; how bad it was, how different, how it changed everything. Well, yes, it's the season that turned Millennium into garbage - it's okay to say it. For me the second season is a comic book version of Millennium, dumbed down and easily defined. It's funny to read Morgan and Wong sort through their reasoning for why they did what they did to the show - it was just worse, you can admit it. The second season isn't all bad, but three or four good episodes don't keep a show on the air, or fans watching.
Chris Carter admitting that his production of Harsh Realm probably ended Millennium is one of the more interesting points in the book; in his eyes the show would have had a fourth season if not for Harsh Realm (p.44). But really, the second season is what killed it and the ratings show it.
Overall this is a book I like on my shelf, but not one that I would read from beginning to end. It's not a book that even a Millennium fan needs. I wish it was better, because it probably took great effort, energy, and love from it's editors to get this finished.
May 29, 2014
This is a fan publication and they do not hide that fact. But it is a good one. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this underappreciated TV series created by Chris Carter and starring the enigmatic Lance Henriksen.
With this kind of books I always need to "get into it". There are a number of interviews, for instance, and at first they are not my main interest, my main interest is always on the more scholarly pieces, interpretations and explorations of topics. But it all helps weave a fascinating tapestry of the show.
And yes, like the editors of this book, I too, would like to see the series return to the screen.
With this kind of books I always need to "get into it". There are a number of interviews, for instance, and at first they are not my main interest, my main interest is always on the more scholarly pieces, interpretations and explorations of topics. But it all helps weave a fascinating tapestry of the show.
And yes, like the editors of this book, I too, would like to see the series return to the screen.
February 26, 2017
Interesting for both Millennium and Lance Henriksen fans like me. Chris Carter and X-File family responsible for this great TV series. Would love to see it return either as updated series, movie or best bet probably a mini-series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews